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Unique Wedding Venues From Around the World

They might be two of the simplest words, but when spoken together, “I do” is the most important sentence in anyone’s life. So it goes without saying that the site where you utter them should be a place to remember. Finding that special venue, however, can be as tricky and time-consuming as finding the right dress, especially if you’re looking for somewhere unexpected or different than the traditional wedding venues on offer. So we enlisted one of our favorite wedding resources, The Lane, to share its top 10 beautifully unexpected reception spaces, devoid of any wedding clichés.

Le Sirenuse Hotel, Positano, Italy

The perfect reception is a space that’s already so beautiful, requiring very little styling or none at all. The ridiculously charming restaurant at Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano offers one of the most breathtaking reception spaces we’ve ever seen. Lit with hundreds of candles and canopied with vines cascading from the ceiling all around you, the space is like A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This truly is the venue of our dreams!

Cala Macarelleta, Menorca, Spain

Who wouldn’t want to get lost in the hidden beaches of Menorca? Its crystal blue waters are almost out of this world. It’s one of our personal favorites and on a recent trip to the Balearic Islands we discovered Cala Macarelletta - an arcing turquoise lagoon streaked with patches of deep indigo, against a backdrop of sheer white cliffs. Magnificent. The journey to this beach is just as magical, snaking through country roads lined with ancient drystone walls that are dotted with olive and orange trees, and wildflowers. Heaven on earth.

Parque Lage, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If you’re looking for the perfect poolside reception with a difference then you’ll love this Brazilian palace. With ancient stone walls, emerald tile accents and a jaw-dropping backdrop of the rain forest and Corcovado mountain, your guests will be transported to another world.

Churchill, Victoria, Australia

The Lane is constantly on the endless hunt for spaces with a soul and a story all their own (and as far from generic as possible). Set in the Victorian countryside, Churchill is one of our favorite discoveries. Run by the talented florists behind Prunella, this 1858-converted Methodist church boasts high timber ceilings, glorious gothic stained-glass windows, and the sort of authentically aged patina that rustic venue dreams are made of! Paired with the wildly foraged botanical styling of Prunella, this venue makes for a truly authentic and unexpectedly beautiful setting.

Ristorante Grotta Palazzese Cave Restaurant, Puglia, Italy

When we first laid eyes on this image, it was love at first sight, and now our fondness for cave-like spaces is bordering on obsession. Ancient and otherworldly, Puglia's Grotto Palazzese restaurant is tucked away into the seaside cliffs of Southern Italy. This surreal space offers a truly unexpected setting for reception revelry to unfold, and who wouldn’t want a backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea while they dine? Now that’s a wedding you’ll never forget.

Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp, Morocco

For the gypsies at heart looking to explore the most far-flung, untouched, and unreachable corners of the world, the journey here is a true adventure but worth every second. Set in the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, this is glamping in the most serene and mythical destination we have ever seen. Can you just imagine a reception under the stars, dancing with layered Moroccan rugs under your feet, surrounded by a blazing bonfire to Bedouin music? This wedding would make for a truly spectacular experience.

San Giorgio Hotel, Mykonos, Greece

Infused with ’60s bohemia, the San Giorgio Mykonos pool is surrounded by whitewashed stone buildings overlooking the Aegean Sea. Think guests lounging poolside in hammocks, cocktails on sun loungers, and a dance floor on a wooden deck dotted with palm trees. This would make for a beautifully relaxed reception space. There’s also a quaint chapel at the hotel.

Venus Castle (Castello di Venere), Erice, Sicily

Perched 750 meters above sea level, this enchanting castle in the romantic little town of Erice in Sicily is the stuff of fairy tales and every bride’s dream. Have the complete princess experience in this wonderfully preserved medieval castle surrounded by the most breathtaking views and a palpable sense of history. Constructed by the Normans, Castello di Venere was built on the original site of the ancient Temple of Venus, allegedly founded by Aeneas. Often covered in its own personal cloud, Venus Castle is where fantasy truly comes to life.

Greenhouses

With streaks of golden light refracting through its glass exterior and an oasis-like space within that’s brimming with orchids, ferns, and palms, a greenhouse almost mimics a real-world Alice in Wonderland. This emerald-tinted paradise provides a magical setting for a wedding reception, and when strung with lights by night, it transforms into an otherworldly setting. Since they trap the warmth of the sun’s rays, greenhouses are also perfect for winter celebrations or those who want an outdoor wedding without the risk of rain. Head to The Lane to see more of our favorite greenhouse spaces.